Jacob Ricci Dr. Fogleman EDC 102H 21 September 2011 Outside Influences on Education
While there have been certain people and groups which have influenced me through the years, it has been a dream of mine which has driven me to succeed and to do my best. That has been the dream of becoming a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and then a Coast Guard helicopter pilot. This dream urged me forward and through the many struggles that I encountered on my way to a high school diploma.
The dream was born when I was in fourth or fifth grade, and grew steadily from there. In fifth grade, I completed a project about the Coast Guard cutter my grandfather served on during the Korean War, the USCGC Duane, which was, the longest serving cutter of the fleet at the time. What I learned about the Coast Guard fueled my desire to make my dream happen. This dream made me determined to do the best that I could in school, because the Coast Guard Academy is one of the most difficult colleges to get into. I worked hard, and it paid off. As I emerged from middle school, I was ahead of many of my peers in math, and was known for having a solid understanding of science.
Entering high school, I was one of the few people who knew where they wanted to be in the future. While the majority of my peers considered a variety of careers, I was dead-set on attaining my goal. Throughout high school, this dream pushed me to take more advanced courses, specifically in Math and Science. I discovered that the Coast Guard Academy is one of the top engineering schools in the US, and produces, almost exclusively, engineers. It was during this most sensitive time that my dream was severely beaten.
I took algebra two honors during my freshman year. The class was a mix of freshman, sophomores, and even a junior, as the school had recently rearranged the curriculum. This also meant that the teachers had not adjusted to teaching younger students. My teacher also happened to be going through a rough patch in her life at the same time. This combination made my freshman year miserable. I did not do nearly as well as I had done previously in math, and consequently, my feelings toward the subject grew sour, and thus my dream slowly began to fade. While it was certainly down, it was not out.
Over the course of the next three years, I struggled in math and science. The idea of attending the Coast Guard Academy WAS still alive in the back of my head, though it was looking considerably less likely. Working toward my goal as best as I could, I was determined to take higher-level courses, such as AP Calculus and AP Physics. My grades in these classes were not as high as I would have liked, but a majority of Bs in a heavy course load seemed like it would average itself out, and still present me as a quality student.
Senior year came and college applications came with it. After researching schools and majors, I decided to apply to only two schools, the Coast Guard Academy and the University of Rhode Island. My SAT scores were accidently sent to Northeastern University, and as a result, I received a free application. As classes picked up, and deadlines drew nearer, I began to realize something in regards to school. I really did not enjoy math anymore. In fact, I downright disliked it. This revelation combined with a few other petty things and a lot of time thinking about my future brought me to a decision. I chose not to finish my application to the Coast Guard Academy. I completed my application to URI as well as the free application, but not the application that I had thought so much about and would have been the first physical step toward becoming a Coastguardsman.
While many people will declare family and friends as being driving influences in their educations, something true for me as well, I can honestly say that it has been my dream of being a Coast Guard helicopter pilot that has guided and pushed me. The drive to take difficult classes, to get good grades, to do well in school, to be a well-rounded student, all came from my dream of flying. I sit here today with the school record I have in part due to a dream that lasted over ten years.
Dr. Fogleman
EDC 102H
21 September 2011
Outside Influences on Education
While there have been certain people and groups which have influenced me through the years, it has been a dream of mine which has driven me to succeed and to do my best. That has been the dream of becoming a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and then a Coast Guard helicopter pilot. This dream urged me forward and through the many struggles that I encountered on my way to a high school diploma.
The dream was born when I was in fourth or fifth grade, and grew steadily from there. In fifth grade, I completed a project about the Coast Guard cutter my grandfather served on during the Korean War, the USCGC Duane, which was, the longest serving cutter of the fleet at the time. What I learned about the Coast Guard fueled my desire to make my dream happen. This dream made me determined to do the best that I could in school, because the Coast Guard Academy is one of the most difficult colleges to get into. I worked hard, and it paid off. As I emerged from middle school, I was ahead of many of my peers in math, and was known for having a solid understanding of science.
Entering high school, I was one of the few people who knew where they wanted to be in the future. While the majority of my peers considered a variety of careers, I was dead-set on attaining my goal. Throughout high school, this dream pushed me to take more advanced courses, specifically in Math and Science. I discovered that the Coast Guard Academy is one of the top engineering schools in the US, and produces, almost exclusively, engineers. It was during this most sensitive time that my dream was severely beaten.
I took algebra two honors during my freshman year. The class was a mix of freshman, sophomores, and even a junior, as the school had recently rearranged the curriculum. This also meant that the teachers had not adjusted to teaching younger students. My teacher also happened to be going through a rough patch in her life at the same time. This combination made my freshman year miserable. I did not do nearly as well as I had done previously in math, and consequently, my feelings toward the subject grew sour, and thus my dream slowly began to fade. While it was certainly down, it was not out.
Over the course of the next three years, I struggled in math and science. The idea of attending the Coast Guard Academy WAS still alive in the back of my head, though it was looking considerably less likely. Working toward my goal as best as I could, I was determined to take higher-level courses, such as AP Calculus and AP Physics. My grades in these classes were not as high as I would have liked, but a majority of Bs in a heavy course load seemed like it would average itself out, and still present me as a quality student.
Senior year came and college applications came with it. After researching schools and majors, I decided to apply to only two schools, the Coast Guard Academy and the University of Rhode Island. My SAT scores were accidently sent to Northeastern University, and as a result, I received a free application. As classes picked up, and deadlines drew nearer, I began to realize something in regards to school. I really did not enjoy math anymore. In fact, I downright disliked it. This revelation combined with a few other petty things and a lot of time thinking about my future brought me to a decision. I chose not to finish my application to the Coast Guard Academy. I completed my application to URI as well as the free application, but not the application that I had thought so much about and would have been the first physical step toward becoming a Coastguardsman.
While many people will declare family and friends as being driving influences in their educations, something true for me as well, I can honestly say that it has been my dream of being a Coast Guard helicopter pilot that has guided and pushed me. The drive to take difficult classes, to get good grades, to do well in school, to be a well-rounded student, all came from my dream of flying. I sit here today with the school record I have in part due to a dream that lasted over ten years.